Does RV Insurance Cover Rodent Damage?
RVs are expensive, so you’ll want to make sure you have a good insurance plan to cover any issues that may pop up along the way. One common problem is damage done by mice and rats, so this has led many RV owners to wonder, “Does RV insurance cover rodent damage?”
Many RV plans will cover rodent damage because this tends to fall under the comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Not every insurance plan offers this type of protection, but many of them do because this is a common problem that RV owners run into.
It’s always terrible to find chewed wires, holes in your walls, and mouse droppings in your RV. Some of these problems can be dealt with easily, while others require significant time and money. RV insurance is a necessity for anyone who wants to travel with peace of mind, so let’s explore some of the main protection types these plans offer, as well as whether or not rodent damage is covered.
Typical RV Plan Protections
Every RV insurance plan is a bit different, but there are some protections that almost all of them offer.
Collision
Collision coverage is important for every type of vehicle. If your RV is damaged in a crash then collision insurance can cover the repair expenses or even replace the RV if the damage is severe. Most collision insurance will cover these costs, regardless of whether or not the crash was the driver’s fault.
Liability
Liability insurance is legally required by everyone who owns an RV or motorhome. This type of insurance will cover the cost for any injuries or damage that you cause while driving your RV. If you injure someone else or cause damage to a vehicle, liability damage can cover some or all of the cost. If you have a fifth wheel or travel trailer, the insurance policy for the tow vehicle can usually be used instead of getting 2 separate plans.
Medical Payments
Similar to collision insurance, medical payments will cover the cost of treatment for you and anyone that may be injured in a crash. Regardless of whether or not you are at fault, medical payments coverage will apply.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is important for every RV owner! If you blow a tire, run out of gas, or need to be towed somewhere, you need to have access to outside help. Some roadside assistance plans are better than others, but most RV insurance providers will offer some form of help in these circumstances.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage protects you and your RV against other types of damage that may not be specifically stated in other plans. This often includes things like water damage, natural disasters, fallen tree branches, and yes, rodent damage! The specifics vary, but if you have comprehensive coverage, you can make a good case for almost any type of damage.
There are also optional plan upgrades and add-ons that may include things like vacation liability, total loss replacement, and pet injury coverage. Sometimes there are even separate plans for pest damage protection. In many cases, rodent damage will be covered in the standard comprehensive coverage. However, you should always check with your specific insurance policy just to make sure.
RV Insurance Plans That Cover Rodent Damage
If an RV insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage, this usually will protect your vehicle against rodent damage and other issues that might not immediately come to mind.
You should always check what exactly each comprehensive plan will cover because it varies a bit. But because rodent damage is a fairly common issue that RV owners face, most insurance providers will consider this to be a problem that is worthy of coverage.
Always be sure to check the details of an insurer’s limits before choosing a plan. Sometimes comprehensive insurance is included in the standard base package, but in other cases, it may need to be added on separately.
Below is a list of a few insurance providers that offer comprehensive plans or special coverage for rodent damage.
- Good Sam
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- Geico
- Auto-Owners Insurance
There are many other insurance providers that will cover rodent damage as well, but the ones above are some of the most well-known. They have a great track record for customer service and trustworthy performance.
How To Prevent Rodent Damage
Whether RV insurance covers rodent damage or not, it’s a good idea to prevent mice and rats from getting inside in the first place. If they can’t get into your RV, they won’t become a problem.
There are several techniques you can use to keep rodents out of your RV. Some of these include:
Block entrances
Mice are small and sneaky, so they can enter your RV through holes as small as a nickel! Do your best to keep your RV sealed up when it’s not being used. Keep doors closed and place screens in the windows. When it comes to vents and air ducts, placing soap, steel wool, or mouse-proof sprays in the entrances can deter these pests.
Remove food and clean up messes
Mice and rats are attracted by food and fragrant scents, so you can make your RV less appealing by sealing food away and keeping the floor clean. Empty the garbage regularly and remove all food from your RV when it’s not being used. Even dry foods like rice and beans can attract mice, so don’t keep anything in your cupboards.
Use RV covers and skirting
Covering your RV is another way to deter rodents. RV covers also protect the vehicle against UV damage, dirt, rain, and other debris. A tight cover will also make it harder for mice to access vents. Using skirting will help protect your tires and RV underbelly, which is where some mice can chew through and enter your vehicle.
Place traps and deterrents
If all else fails, you can scatter traps and rodent deterrents throughout your RV. Mint, tea bags, mothballs, cayenne pepper, and other strong smells are overwhelming to their sensitive noses, so they will stay away. Both lethal and nonlethal traps can both be effective, but make sure they don’t get in your way or pose a health hazard to children or pets in the RV.
Everyone wants to know, “Does RV insurance cover rodent damage?” but if you follow the steps above, you may never need to worry about this!
You can start with policy shopping from an online provider like RVerInsurance.com. RVer Insurance Exchange offers free quotes for RV Insurance, Health Insurance, even Extended Warranties.
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my pop up was destroyed by mice and ants, Geico is telling me they do not cover any damage done by animals. they don’t even offer a plan that does.
Progressive covered us when we had turbo damage due to a bird’s nest in the air intake.
Progressive is listed here, but they don’t cover squirrel or water damage. Our slide out on our camper was leaking the floor was rotten. They told us that we should have seen it though the walls! How can when we can’t! Also, our whole wall was filled with walnuts! They told us they didn’t cover it. It cost us $3500 to fix!
Not sure about the skirting advice. One of the most effective ways to deter rodents is light. Skirting gives them a dark environment to hide and work in at their leisure. It isn’t going to present a physical barrier to them as they can squeeze though the tiniest of gaps.
I agree. The skirting would have to be completely rodent proof, otherwise you are creating a wonderful home for rodents. I have never seen a skirting application that would be considered rodent proof. If for some other reason you need skirting on your rig, I would suggest placing rodent traps within the skirted area below your rig.
we have Good Sam and they covered over $10,000 worth repair this year for us 2 new A/C fix slide with new motor and slide locks all on a 2005 class A
I’ve found a way to keep rodents away from my RV. I got a couple of solar floodlights (like $8 each) and put one at the front and one at the back of my RV, shining under the body. Rats avoid light. No more nests in the engine block or chewed up wires. (They cut wires to the engine computer once. Yikes.)
Good recommendations with the exception of steel wool which will rust and leave stains. Use copper wool which I have used successfully for years. I’ve even used copper pot scrub pads of intertwined copper and they work well for large holes.
Good sam ins is terrible. Never , never recommend this company. They will stiff the owner. They will tell you that fire damage is your own fault. . They are the worst.